850 readers pose questions to Florida Governor Charlie Crist on College, the Economy and Being Green. Q: You have always been very pro-tourism and pro-beaches, especially when it comes to beach renourishment. Yet the funding for those programs seems to…
These days, when budgets are tight and credit is often harder to attain, you may only be able to start a business if you can find someone with whom to share the costs and risk. Marriages of ConvenienceIn tough…
With the expansion of the Panama Canal set for completion in 2014, the leaders at Florida’s Great Northwest figure they have about five years to establish business ties in Panama. Sealing the International DealCultural due diligence can help ease…
Northwest Florida businesspeople have plenty to worry about in today’s economic downturn. But here is a factor that few area business leaders may be focused on: Betty Isabelle. The ‘Rehirement’ PhenomenonHiring older workers can give you a competitive edgeBy…
Catch a plane, travel to the hotel, arrive at a meeting, eat late, go to bed exhausted, wake up early, spend the entire day in meetings, eat late, repeat. Sound familiar? Not Just Business: It’s PersonalStaying healthy in…
Clearly, Krueger is no average stockbroker — and no average motorcyclist, for that matter. Tim Krueger: Easy RiderSenior Vice President of Investments, Merrill Lynch When he isn’t analyzing markets, meeting with clients over his impeccably clean desk, spending time with his…
How to get your hands on: steak brander, champion beer, a time twister, signature cigars, notable notes, single-component speaker and bee-utiful jewelry. By Tisha Crews Keller GRILL MARKS Their steaks are a works of art — so why shouldn’t they…
RFID-secure wallets, travel with a purpose, golfer's paradise and office-seating tips. Stylish ... And Secure It seems as though every advance in technology that makes life easier comes with a crook looking for an angle to exploit it. This time…
I can assure you of one thing: Whatever Washington does, it will be quite a while before you begin to feel the real results. But there are things you can do in the meantime. Recovery Plan 101: Why Wait on…
Steve Monk, manager of one of the Birmingham, Ala.-based bank’s two branches in Tallahassee, says items collected in each of the Florida branches are given directly to the school district where the branch is located. Tools for SchoolSuperior Bank works to…
News and notes from around the 850 region. NOTE TO READERS: To include your business news, simply e-mail us at editor@850businessmagazine.com. CAPITAL CORRIDOR | Compiled by Chelsey Germani FSU Happenings The FSU College of Business’ undergraduate, graduate and…
Predicted 2009 Job Losses Northwest Florida’s major metro areas are expected to lose 15,500 jobs by the end of this year, according to a study released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. And return to solid economic growth is…
Pellet PowerA local wood-pellet processing plant helps curb coal-fire emissions abroad while employing locallyBy Jason Dehart What goes around, comes around. And in humanity’s rush to find a better, more sustainable source of fuel for our hungry power plants,…
Hometown NewsDad and daughter tell it like it is in The Calhoun-Liberty Journal By Linda Kleindienst Johnny Eubanks did something that many parents may dream of but few are able to pull off. He started a newspaper for his only…
Home-Grown SuccessInnovation and experimentation help Jeff Pittman bring forth bounty from the land By Tabitha Yang Jeff Pittman has a field of sunflowers blazing a yellow path across his land. The flowers aren’t for decoration. They’re part of his…
Leisure Luxury Without the HassleAffordable ways to own a slice of the good lifeBy B.J. Terhune Share and play nice. It’s a reminder given to countless children, eager to show off their new toys. Now, Matthew V. Condon, president…
Old Blocks & New DigsPensacola architect Brian Spencer fuses architecture and urbanismBy Maggie Kelly After a decade of hurricanes, the city of Pensacola, like many cities along the Gulf Coast, has seen its share of urban renewal, upheaval and…
Chairmen of the BoardsTwo Emerald Coast entrepreneurs find success with their feet planted firmly on the water By Wendy O. Dixon You only live once,” say the co-creators of the YOLO paddleboard, Jeff Archer and Tom Losee. Both led…
Rebirth of a PortPort St. Joe ventures once again into deep watersBy Tabitha Yang Once a boomtown and a candidate for the capital of Florida, Port St. Joe now is one of the state’s smaller towns, with a population…
Survivor IslandRealtor Alice Collins reaps the whirlwind of change on St. George IslandBy Jason Dehart Storms may come and go, markets go from boom to bust and fires sweep away dreams in a matter of minutes. But starting over…
Banking On ItRespect and roots in the community have led Donnie Gay to the top By John Eric Vona Donnie Gay was abruptly awakened by a phone call in the early-morning hours of Nov. 15 last year. A seafood…
DID YOU KNOW? According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, average unemployment in the Forgotten Coast Corridor rose from 6.5% in December to 7.43% in January 2009, an increase of 0.93% in just one month. BY THE NUMBERS …
Food for ThoughtTallahassee restaurateurs bear the brunt of the legislative gift banBy Caroline Brewster EACH SPRING, THE CAPITAL CITY COMES ALIVE. Dogwoods bloom against a backdrop of Spanish moss, warmer weather beckons residents to explore their neighborhoods and legislators and…
Trading FairAllen Joseph has a passion for a way to buy that’s good for the Earth, and the people who live on itBy Donna Meredith Allen Joseph calls “fair trade” the world’s most important issue. If that’s a term you’ve…
Green Living Without the Guilt TripWill Thompson finds retail success in a down economy By Rosanne Dunkelberger Energetic and enterprising, 26-year-old Will Thompson is juggling four jobs that can keep him on the go 13 hours a day. And he’s…
DID YOU KNOW? According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, average unemployment in the Capital Corridor rose from 6.4% in December to 7.8% in January 2009, an increase of 1.4% in just one month. BY THE NUMBERS 312: The…
A Walk in the ParkPier Park, the open-air regional shopping center in Panama City Beach, prospers despite tough economic timesBy Wendy O. Dixon After the worst holiday shopping season in decades and with the economy in a freefall expected…
Self-Made LegendCharlie Whitehead blends successful business and political careersBy Linda Kleindienst There is nothing half-hearted about Charlie Whitehead. A big man with a booming voice and ready laugh, he has an enthusiasm for work and politics that’s hard to…
A Family AffairLiz and Jane Bennett are family, friends and founders of Liz & Jane Clothes By Jennifer Ewing In-law jokes may be funny to most and all too true for some, but there are two Florida businesswomen who…
DID YOU KNOW? According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, average unemployment in the Bay Corridor rose from 9% in December to 9.8% in January 2009, an increase of 0.8% in just one month. BY THE…
Curious about how your federal tax dollars are being spent to stimulate Florida’s economy? Wonder no more.State Launches Web Site to Track Federal Stimulus MoneyBy Linda Kleindienst  TALLAHASSEE – Curious about how your federal tax dollars are being spent to…
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped again in January, hitting 8.6 percent – the highest since 1992 and 3.6 percent higher than a year ago.State Unemployment Highest in 17 YearsFlorida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped again in January, hitting 8.6…
With a state economy teetering on freefall and many businesses struggling to stay afloat, Florida lawmakers kick off their 2009 legislative session today faced with a more than $2 billion budget shortfall and looming cuts to major state programs. Associated…
Researchers at the Florida State University College of Business have found evidence that suggests foreign investments are destabilizing to financial markets, confirming media speculation that sovereign wealth funds could do more damage than good.Researchers: Foreign Investments may be Destabilizing Financial…
Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Rise in January ORLANDO – Florida’s existing home sales rose in January, making it the fifth month in a row that sales activity showed increases in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data…
The St. Joe Company Reports 2008 LossesBusiness WireJACKSONVILLE — The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE) on Tuesday announced a net loss of $35.9 million, or 40 cents per share, for 2008 - compared to net income of $39.2 million, or 53…
INVESTMENT ADVISORS MAY FACE TOUGHER STATE SCRUTINYBy Linda Kleindienst TALLAHASSEE – Prompted by a series of high profile securities fraud cases, a push is on for the Florida Legislature to strengthen state laws to protect investors.  “Recent headlines and alleged…
Investment Advisors May Face Tougher State ScrutinyBy Linda Kleindienst TALLAHASSEE – Prompted by a series of high profile securities fraud cases, a push is on for the Florida Legislature to strengthen state laws to protect investors.  “Recent headlines and alleged…
The nation’s economic woes have claimed another victim - Red Hills Horse Trials, a perennial spectator favorite that brings world-renowned riders and a major economic boost to Tallahassee. The three-day equestrian event had been scheduled for March 13-15, but organizers…
Chamber Poll: Crist has High Approval Rating TALLAHASSEE — A new Florida Chamber of Commerce poll shows Gov. Charlie Crist with a 73 percent approval rating, an increase of 5 percentage points from only four months ago.  The poll…
Visit Florida Escapes CutsBy Linda Kleindienst TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday restored full funding to Visit Florida as he vetoed more than $90 million in budget cuts approved by the Legislature last week.“I appreciate the difficult work of the Legislature…
State Farm Evacuates Florida Property Insurance Market By Linda Kleindienst TALLAHASSEE — State Farm, Florida’s largest private home insurer, on Tuesday announced its plans to withdraw from Florida’s property insurance market because of the hurricane risk.Over the next two years, the company—America’s second…
December Unemployment hits 8.1 percentTALLAHASSEE – Florida’s unemployment rate hit 8.1 percent in December, the highest since 1992 and higher than the national rate of 7.2 percent.The numbers mean one in 12 Florida workers – or 752,000 out of a…
Leadership Pensacola Seeks Nominations PENSACOLA — Leadership Pensacola, a program of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, is now accepting nominations to the Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) Class of 2010. The 2010 class year begins in August and the deadline…
Study: Northwest Florida's Job Losses Will Be Relatively Low Linda Kleindienst Northwest Florida’s major metro areas are expected to lose 15,500 jobs by the end of this year, with Pensacola and Panama City reaching an unemployment rate of 8 percent,…
Tourism Officials Warn Cuts Will Make Budget WorseThe News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE - The Legislature's $9.9 million cut to the marketing budget of Visit Florida, the state's tourism development agency, will only put Florida deeper in the hole, tourism officials…
As American shoppers tighten their belts and storefronts increasingly compete with Web sites for attention, treating customers like kings and queens could mean the difference between holding an anniversary or a going-out-of-business sale. By Michael Peltier Customer Service, Often…
For all its high-tech bells and Information Age whistles, the Internet serves an age-old business function. It’s all about marketing. But the key is clicking with your consumers – meeting your clientele’s needs is still job one. By Jason Dehart…
Sound BusinessBlountstown’s Matt and Dara Layfield, owners of the nationally recognized store Sound Off Audio, make waves in the world of small business.By Jennifer Ewing Between managing their company, Sound Off Audio, and its offshoot, Redneck Archery, handcrafting approximately…
Country Crossings Resort Planned for Jackson County Country Crossings, an entertainment resort and facility being developed by Ronnie Gillie that is being compared to the country music mecca of Branson, Mo., is being planned in Alabama just north…
